Nettie Reviews: Exposure by Annie Jacoby

Title:  Exposure
Series:  Exposure Series, Book 1
Author:  Annie Jacoby
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Rating:  2.5 Sweltering Keys

**Disclaimer:  A copy of this book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Photographer CJ Parker is a woman who has literally not gone outside for the past six months. She’s been hiding from the world, and from life, ever since an unimaginable tragedy forced her into seclusion. 

On the one day where she decides to finally venture outside, she meets the mysterious billionaire, Asher Sloane. Dark-headed, magnetic, and gorgeous, Asher drips sex and animal magnetism. He draws CJ out of her shell and into the world, while showing her things that she never knew existed. 

What CJ doesn’t know is that Asher has a dangerous past. Behind his beautiful blue eyes and confident demeanor lies dark secrets that, if they are brought to light, could mean the end of CJ and Asher’s relationship. 

Will the exposure of Asher’s past destroy them?

Warning: This book has plenty of hot and steamy sex scenes featuring an alpha male who knows what he wants and knows exactly how to get it.

Exposure is my first read by author Annie Jacoby and while I didn't hate the book, I didn't love it either.  The overall premise of the book held a lot of merit for a pretty reasonable storyline, however Jacoby made a fatal flaw when introducing her two main characters.  The instalust between CJ and Asher was completely unrealistic especially since CJ is suffering from a traumatic event and hasn't ventured outside in well over 6 months.  The fact that her first attempt to reenter the outside world left her passed out from a panic attack, and then she later woke in a stranger's apartment on the other side of town was just over the top.

Separately these two character's back stories were really well written.  Jacoby's reveal of CJ's traumatic event was brilliantly delivered at just the right time providing readers with what I call the maximum impact.  Her later exposure of Asher's secrets were also very well delivered, however the time the two characters spent together was completely about sex and held no real attraction.  I would have loved to see the characters have a gradual build to an intimate relationship rather than have CJ open herself up and the next thing you know.....wam bam thank you ma'am!  What??

Overall all the storyline has promise. The two main characters just didn't work for me as a couple.  I'm giving this one 2.5 Sweltering keys.